Which is why many people use fake IP addresses. To be clear, “fake IP address” is a bit of a misnomer that implies creating a new one out of thin air. That’s not possible. The best you can do is hide your IP address behind someone else’s already-existing IP address.

Method 1: Using a VPN

VPN stands for virtual private network, but is much simpler than it sounds. Basically, you can connect your computer or device to someone else’s network, then browse the web through their network. Whatever activity you’re doing looks like it’s coming from them, not from you.

As such, we only recommend using a logless VPN. Since they don’t keep logs, they can’t give up your IP address even if requested. Plus, most reputable paid VPNs strongly encrypt all of your traffic to and from the network, preventing any snooping from your ISP or government.

Method 2: Using a Web Proxy

A web proxy works in much the same way as a VPN: you connect to the proxy server, then all your web traffic flows through the proxy server. As such, your IP address gets hidden by the proxy server’s IP address.

But there are two major differences between proxy and VPN.

First, web proxies are typically unencrypted. Even if your IP address is masked by a proxy, the traffic itself can still be sniffed by your ISP, government, and snoopers. Not only that, but some websites may still be able to see your real IP address through Flash and/or JavaScript.

Second, some browsers let you route only browser traffic. To use a web proxy, you go into your web browser’s settings and manually input the proxy server’s IP address. This allows applications and devices outside the web browser, like Skype, to still use your actual IP address.

How to Set Up a Web Proxy

Find a free web proxy using a site like PremProxy or Proxy List. Using a proxy server in your country will keep it fast, but using a proxy server in another country can be useful for bypassing region-blocked content and adding a tiny layer of extra obscurity.

In Firefox

In the main menu, select Options.

Navigate to the Advanced tab, then the Network section.

Under Connection, click Settings…

Select Manual proxy configuration, then type in the proxy’s address and port in the HTTP Proxy field.

In Edge

In the main menu, select Settings.

Scroll down and click View advanced settings.

Scroll down and click Open proxy settings.

Under Manual proxy setup, enable Use a proxy server, then type in the proxy’s address and port in the Address field.

In Chrome, Opera, and Vivaldi

In the main menu, select Settings.

Under Network, click Change proxy settings…

In the Connections tab, click LAN settings.

Enable Use a proxy server for your LAN, then type in the proxy’s address and port in the Address field.

Chrome, Opera, Vivaldi, and other Chromium-based browsers do not have a built-in browser-specific proxy feature. Instead, they only use system-wide proxy settings.

Method 3: Using Public Wi-Fi

Instead of routing your traffic through another person’s network, you can opt to connect directly to their network — and the easiest way to do this would be to hop onto public Wi-Fi.

The funny thing is that this is really the only way to hide your home IP address. When you’re on public Wi-Fi, there’s no way for someone to trace it back to your home. And if it’s a popular hotspot (e.g. a Starbucks or an airport), your activity will be obscured by dozens of other users at any time.

By default, most public Wi-Fi hotspots are unencrypted. All your activity while connected can be seen by anyone else on the network (if they’re sniffing it out), which includes login details for websites like banks and e-commerce shopping. Public Wi-Fi hotspots can also spread malware infections to your device.

I had a friend recently that put in a "disposable" email to get some information from some investment company recently from his home desktop computer. Within half an hour his cell phone rang. It was the investment company. They knew his real name, address, cell number, landline number, even the gross amount of his pension and what government agency he retired from. I wouldn't be at all surprised if they could tell you "boxers or briefs" as well.